How to mix powder lots?

[BigUglyMan]

I dump them into a large steel bowl and stir around til I think it's well- mixed.......

That's also how they turn caffeine powder into Fake Oxy...dump the powder in a bowl, add Fentanyl powder and stir. Of course, it's highly unreliable which is why experienced junkies drop dead on a semi-regular basis. It's the chocolate chip cookie analogy. No matter how well you mix it, there is no way to guarantee the number of chocolate chips in each cookie...some are super-chocolatey and some are pretty meh.

Now, the results with powder aren't going to be the same as with illicit drugs, but if you mix lots there is no reliable way to be certain that each cartridge will perform as closely to the next as there is if you don't mix powder lots.

So...proceed at your own risk.

 

[coyoteking]

That's also how they turn caffeine powder into Fake Oxy...dump the powder in a bowl, add Fentanyl powder and stir. Of course, it's highly unreliable which is why experienced junkies drop dead on a semi-regular basis. It's the chocolate chip cookie analogy. No matter how well you mix it, there is no way to guarantee the number of chocolate chips in each cookie...some are super-chocolatey and some are pretty meh.

Now, the results with powder aren't going to be the same as with illicit drugs, but if you mix lots there is no reliable way to be certain that each cartridge will perform as closely to the next as there is if you don't mix powder lots.

So...proceed at your own risk.

There’s a very reliable and easy way to measure it- a chronograph.

The rifle I use the most Varget in is a 223 that consistently shoots ES’s less than 10. If my ES starts to creep up, I start looking for the problem, but so far blended powder hasn’t caused any issues.

 

[bearhunter]

I don’t mix powder. I use the bottle until empty. Why mix ? To save a few inches of storage space ?
If find it amazing that you even ask the question..just pour one bottle into the other - rotate it a few time and thats it.

It is just a matter of time guys doing this, will mix different powder and end up with a kaboom...

You just give me another reason not to buy any powder from folks.

You mix to get consistent burn rates from the powders, instead of getting surprises between different lots.

It's not a big deal, if you don't shoot much, but for those of us that burn up to 10-15 or more pounds of powder per year, it saves a lot of hassle and expense/time.

 

[bearhunter]

The lot to lot variance is not worth the bother UNLESS you are running the ragged edge of high pressure, or are just doing it for the exercise. IMO.

There are shooters here who can see the difference on paper. Some truly amazing shooters. Well, that's not me, and I think it's not most of us. If I change lot numbers I don't rework anything, and I see no difference.

Your theory is great, as long as you're using modern cannister grade powders and don't shoot much.

 

[Lead hammer]

My last H4350 lot number ended up being .1 grain difference in my 6.5 CM. I am going to mix my remaing H4350's ( just 2 different lot numbers ) I think just to save components from retuning, I have a cooking digital scale, so will use that to fill back to my 1 lb bottles. I will just write down the lot numbers that were combined.

 

[Eagleye]

I have seen 2.0 grains difference in certain powders, from lot to lot.
I have a container of N560 here that is definitely a bit faster than
I normally experience with this excellent powder.

AAMOF, I have a lot of 5010 powder with a warning on the 8 lb jug.
It says: Warning! Faster lot, reduce by 5 grains in a 100 grain charge.

Lately, this much difference would be quite rare, but the possibility
does exist. Should you have a pet load, developed with the slower
lot, that is accurate and on the warm side, imagine the result if you
dumped the same charge of the faster lot into a case and assumed
it would be safe.
Whereas, If you had mixed those powders beforehand, and then done
your load development. No issues whatsoever. Dave.

 

[track]

I have never noticed any difference in pressure, velocity or accuracy from different lot numbers, or mixing them together. Probably because I don't reload and shoot as much as the competition target shooters. However, on a slighter different note, different lot numbers with bullets will give me dissimilar ogive measurements up to .010"; from Nosler bullets. Of course adjustments are always made.